Former NFL Quarterback Makes Moves Off Field

In the 1980's William "Jeff" Komlo was living the dream of a professional football player. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions and also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But these days, it's a completely different story.

Komlo is still wanted, but for all the wrong reasons. In early July of 2005, Komlo failed to show up for sentencing following two drunken-driving convictions. The one-time NFL star faced at least 30 days behind bars.

Komlo, 48, apparently went on the run in early May after failing to comply with a court order to wear an electronic monitoring device. He also did not show up for a May 10th hearing to answer assault charges stemming from an earlier altercation with his girlfriend. But police say these weren't his first run-ins with the law.

A Once-Promising Future

Komlo was the star quarterback at the University of Delaware in the late 1970's, leading the Blue Hens to the Division II national championship game in 1979. He was able to last four years playing in the NFL, first starting with the Detroit Lions where he threw for 2238 yards and 11 touchdowns his first season. He later played a backup role with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before retiring in 1983. 

But court records show his life taking a turn for the worse once he walked off the field and out of the spotlight.

On October 17, 2001 Komlo was convicted of DUI and Recklessly Endangering Another Person after authorities say he cut off his girlfriend and caused her car to swerve off the road in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Police say there were frequent domestic disturbance calls to to Komlo's West Pikeland Township, Pennsylvania home. That home mysteriously burned to the ground on June 4th, 2005. Police say the fire is suspicious and they would like to question him. However, this is not the only time one of Komlo's homes has gone up in flames. Authorities in Florida are also looking to talk to Komlo about a fire that burned down his home in West Palm Beach in the previous year.    

Komlo also had an August 4th court date in Palm Beach County, Florida where he faces cocaine charges. 

Komlo has also been mentioned in an indictment against his former college roommate and teammate Peter Bistrian. Bistrian was charged with the alleged theft of $1.4 million from a South African steel manufacturer. According to the indictment, Bistrian had some of the money wired to Komlo's bank account.

Police hope a lot of these questions can be resolved once they find the man whose glory days now appear to be long gone.

Komlo Expresses "Outrage" at AMW.com Profile

On August 11, 2005, the Philadelphia Inquirer published an interview with Komlo, conducted via speakerphone through his attorney's office. The paper says Komlo "expressed outrage yesterday that he has been put in the same league as rapists and murderers."  Komlo doesn't seem to believe that drunk driving puts innocent people at risk, and that's not the only allegation cops want to talk to him about.

Komlo's attorney complains he can't get the prosecutor to discuss exactly what additional charges his client might be facing. District Attorney Joseph Carroll agrees: "I refused to negotiate with a fugitive. The longer he's a fugitive, the more serious his new charges will be."

Komlo tells the Inquirer he believes the authorities have a vendetta against him, and mentions the charges filed against him for domestic assault and drug possession as evidence to support this claim.

"I'm not a criminal, and I would like to get this resolved," Komlo told the Inquirer, "I'm not above any law."  

There's one thing we know at America's Most Wanted -- you have to work within the system. We encourage Jeff Komlo to turn himself and get all of this behind him.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Cops tell AMW William "Jeff" Komlo may be gone, but not forgotten. U.S. Marshals and the ATF have joined the manhunt continuing to track leads and pursue the one-time NFL player.

Authorities believe Komlo has fled the the U.S. for Greece and say Komlo may have established a home and business in Athens. While Komlo may have forgotten the debt he owes to society, police agencies in Chester County Pa. and West Palm Beach, Fla. have not.

Komlo has warrants for failing to appear in court and flight to avoid apprehension in Chester County. While police in West Palm Beach say Komlo is wanted on an open bench warrant and have charged him with arson and filing fraudulent insurance claims.

Now with several law enforcement agencies hot on his trail, investigators say Komlo can run, but he can't hide, forever.

Former NFL Quarterback Turned Fugitive Dies

William "Jeff" Komlo had a brief NFL career in the 1980s, but cops had been chasing him since 2005. But on March 14, 2009, cops say Komlo himself put an end to the chase, when the FBI says he died in a car crash in Greece.

The FBI is still collecting details in Komlo's sudden death. It's unclear what caused the accident, and whether or not Komlo was to blame.

It's also unclear how long Komlo had been in Greece or what he had been doing there. AMW profiled Komlo in 2005 in connection with his failure to appear for sentencing on DUI charges.

He was also outspoken about his fugitive status; he said it was "ridiculous" that he was on AMW, and refused to turn himself in.